Chapter 46 Two Letters
By the time they left Aunt Phillips's house, Lydia had discovered that Mr. Wickham had taken lodgings in Meryton and expected to receive his uniform within the week. She and Kitty discussed little else during the walk home.
Elizabeth was grateful that Jane was silent on the walk home, for her own thoughts were too disordered to permit conversation.
When they reached Longbourn, Lydia and Kitty went in search of their mother to report everything they had learned about the newest officer. Elizabeth went upstairs.
She had scarcely entered her bedchamber when Jane followed her and closed the door.
“Lizzy, what is wrong? I saw your hands shaking at Aunt Phillips's. Are you becoming ill?”
“No, Jane. I am perfectly well.”
Jane came to her and took one of her hands in hers. “You are still trembling.”
Elizabeth looked down at their joined hands. “I am not ill, Jane. I am afraid for Lydia.”
Jane led her to the bed and sat beside her. “Mr. Wickham made a great impression upon her.”
“Upon all of us. I have never seen a more handsome man, and everything about him suggests that he is a gentleman. I myself would be tempted by such a man as he is. I doubt either of us is strong enough to stand between him and our little sister if he chooses to pursue her.”
Jane was quiet for a moment. “We know nothing against Mr. Wickham, but Lydia was taken with him before we had been in his company five minutes. I confess I found him very charming myself. I doubt there are many women who would be entirely indifferent if he chose to direct all his charms toward them.”
“And Lydia is but fifteen. If he encourages her, she will not listen to us.”
“Then we must do everything we can to keep her from being often in his company.”
“We cannot prevent her from going into Meryton, and we cannot follow her every moment. Charlotte was right. We managed Captain Carter for one evening, but we cannot spend the summer drawing every officer in Meryton into conversations about military service.”
A reluctant smile touched Jane's face. “Particularly if they are less interested in the subject than Captain Carter.”
Elizabeth said somberly, “I am going to write to Uncle Edward. Papa respects him. Perhaps he can persuade Papa that Lydia requires more supervision, or find some reason for her to spend a little time away from Meryton.”
“That may answer very well.”
Elizabeth rose and went to the small writing desk.
“I will keep Lydia occupied downstairs while you write,” Jane said.
Elizabeth caught her hand before she could go. “Do not allow her to slip away. You know how determined she can be once she has decided she wants something.”
“I will watch her.” Jane left the room.
Elizabeth took out a sheet of paper and wrote to Uncle Edward.
She told him of Lydia's increasing familiarity with the officers, of their parents' unwillingness to restrain her, and of the arrival of a new officer who had already captured Lydia's attention.
She asked whether he might advise her father or find some reason for Lydia to spend a little time away from Meryton.
She did not write Wickham's name.
When the letter was finished, Elizabeth addressed and sealed it, then took out another sheet.
She could not write to Fitzwilliam. In this life, Fitzwilliam Darcy had never met Elizabeth Bennet, and there was no proper reason for an unmarried young woman to write to a gentleman who was a stranger to her.
Writing to Georgiana was scarcely less dangerous. Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn had no reason to be acquainted with Miss Darcy, of Pemberley.
Elizabeth dipped her pen.
My dear Friend,
I must write cautiously, for there is no innocent explanation I could offer should this letter fall into another person's hands.
A gentleman whose name will be familiar to you has arrived in Meryton. I met Mr. W. today. My youngest sister is already much taken with him, and I fear that Jane and I may not be equal to preventing what followed before.
Please share this with your brother.
E.B.
Elizabeth folded and sealed the letter and wrote Georgiana's direction.
Neither letter could go with the household post. Her mother would be furious if she discovered that Elizabeth had appealed to Uncle Edward about Lydia, and Georgiana's name upon the second letter would raise questions Elizabeth could not answer.
She slipped both letters into her pocket.
A short time later, Elizabeth went downstairs and told Mrs. Hill that she had forgotten something in Meryton and would return shortly.
Mrs. Bennet scarcely looked away from Lydia, who was describing Mr. Wickham for what was possibly the third time.
Elizabeth left Longbourn alone.
At the post office in Meryton, she handed over both letters. She sighed as she returned to Longbourn. She had done what she could.
* * *
Three days passed before Elizabeth received an answer from Gracechurch Street.
The letter was from Aunt Maddie.
My dear Lizzy,
Your uncle is in Kent upon business for a client and is not expected home for nearly three weeks. He has always permitted me to open his letters when he is away, and I hope you will forgive me for reading yours.
I think you are right to be concerned. Send Lydia to me.
I have enclosed sufficient money for two places on the coach, and a note inviting you both to Gracechurch Street. Show the note to your parents. There is no reason for them to know that the invitation originated with you.
You must come with her, Lizzy. I love Lydia dearly, but I do not think I am equal to receiving her alone.
Your affectionate aunt,
M. Gardiner
Elizabeth laughed when she reached the final sentence.
Two banknotes and a second folded paper had been enclosed with the letter. Elizabeth read her aunt's invitation before taking it downstairs.
Mrs. Bennet and her sisters were in the drawing room when Elizabeth entered. Mr. Bennet sat near the window with a newspaper.
“Mamma, Aunt Maddie has invited Lydia and me to spend a few weeks with her in London.”
Lydia looked up. “London?”
Mrs. Bennet held out her hand for the letter.
Elizabeth gave it to her.
“How very odd. I wonder why she should invite you now.”
“She says Uncle Edward is away in Kent and she would enjoy our company.”
Lydia abandoned the ribbon she had been showing Kitty. “How long may we stay?”
“Aunt says several weeks.”
“Several weeks!” Mrs. Bennet lowered the letter. “Certainly not. The militia may be gone before you return.”
Lydia's excitement vanished. “Oh, Mamma! I have but just met the Lieutenant. He will have forgotten me if I leave now.”
“Mamma,” Elizabeth said, “the officers will be here for some time yet.”
“That is not the point. Lydia has every opportunity of making a good match while the regiment is here. I will not send her away just when so many officers are beginning to notice her.”
Jane looked at her mother. “But Mamma, are they able to support a wife? Why are none of them married?”
Mr. Bennet lowered his newspaper.
Mrs. Bennet stared at Jane. “What a question.”
“It is a sensible one,” Mr. Bennet said. “I am gratified by your discernment, Jane. An officer who intends to marry would be wise to keep one eye upon the lady and the other upon her fortune. A red coat does not pay for a household.”
Mrs. Bennet frowned. “Colonel Forster is married.”
“Colonel Forster can afford to be.”
“Then perhaps some of the others can as well.”
“Perhaps, Mrs. Bennet, and perhaps not. If your object is to marry off your daughters, London seems at least as promising as Meryton. I should think you would be delighted to send two of them to your sister.”
“I am not going,” Lydia declared.
Mr. Bennet looked over the top of his newspaper.
“I met the most handsome gentleman in Meryton, Papa, and I will not go away before I have had a chance to attach him.”
One of Mr. Bennet's brows rose. “Indeed? Who is this gentleman, and why am I only now hearing of him?”
“Mr. Wickham. He has just joined the militia. Lieutenant Wickham.”
“You see, Mr. Bennet? It would be cruel to send her away now. Lydia is very pretty, and if this Mr. Wickham has already noticed her, there is no telling what may come of it.”
“He has noticed all of us, Mamma,” Jane said. “We were introduced only a few days ago.”
“Papa, he is at least thirty years old. What would a grown man want with a child?” Elizabeth asked.
“Lizzy, you are jealous because he paid you no mind. He is very handsome, Mamma, and was particularly charming to me.”
“He is particularly charming to everyone, but you were more forward with him than the rest of us,” Elizabeth said.
Lydia scowled at her. “You are only cross because he hardly spoke to you.”
Elizabeth did not answer.
Mr. Bennet folded his newspaper. “Lydia, I doubt three weeks in London will destroy your prospects with Lieutenant Wickham. If his attachment is so delicate that it cannot survive your absence, perhaps it is better tested now.”
“I do not want it tested.”
“Mr. Bennet,” his wife cried, “you cannot mean to send her!”
Elizabeth waited.
Her father looked from Mrs. Bennet to Lydia. Lydia's face had begun to crumple.
“I shall be miserable in London. Aunt Maddie will take us to museums and shops and expect me to spend every evening with old married people. Everyone here will be dancing with the officers while I am gone.”
“Then you had better stay,” Mr. Bennet said. “I would not deprive Meryton of so much happiness.”
Elizabeth stared at him.
Mrs. Bennet immediately brightened. “There, Lydia. Your papa has settled it.”
Lydia threw her arms around her mother.
Mr. Bennet reopened his newspaper.
Elizabeth looked at Jane. Her father had allowed Lydia to decide for herself.
* * *
The following days gave Elizabeth little reason to believe that Lydia's interest in Wickham would fade.
His uniform arrived, and Lydia declared that she had been correct. A red coat improved him enormously.
Mr. Wickham soon became a frequent visitor at Aunt Phillips's house, where the officers were always welcome. Lydia required very little encouragement to call upon her aunt, and Kitty was equally eager to accompany her.